Vern Escoe (December 27, 1921September 19, 2002) was a Canadian professional heavyweight boxer who won the Canadian heavyweight championship in 1947.
Early life
Escoe was born on December 27, 1921, in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
Amateur boxing career
Escoe learned to box in 1930s
Toronto as protection against racism. He won the provincial heavyweight title while working in a steel foundry.
Professional career
In 1943, after going professional, Escoe launched his career by knocking out his first four opponents.
After joining the Canadian Army as a private, he participated in the army boxing championships in May 1944. Representing military district no. 2, he secured the heavyweight championship of the Canadian army in the open class.
He followed his win over Al Hoosman with a tough fight against future champion Archie Moore in May 1946, ultimately losing by TKO.
Taking the Canadian heavyweight championship, February 1947
Escoe won the Canadian heavyweight championship with a tenth-round knockout of Arnold Hayes on February 10, 1947.
Notable bouts during heavyweight title reign
Promoter
Jack Solomons invited Escoe and Jimmy Jones to
London for a bout with undefeated British heavyweight Jack Gardner. At Olympia Arena in July 1949, Escoe defeated Gardner in the fifth round.
After victories over Jack London and Georges Rogiers, he again defeated Gardner but lost to Johnny Williams.
Escoe defended his Canadian heavyweight crown in 1952, knocking out Doug Harper of Vancouver in the sixth round at 2:55.
Losing the Canadian heavyweight championship, July 1952
He faced his stablemate
Earl Walls in
Edmonton on June 14, 1952, and the Canadian heavyweight champion Escoe was knocked out. He was unable to regain his title in a 12-round rematch with Walls at
Clarke Stadium in July 1952.
Escoe suffered a third-round KO to former American world heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles in April 1955.
In 1957, he was Canada's third-ranked heavyweight after J. J. Parker and George Chuvalo.
Escoe boxed professionally from 1943 until 1958, earning the British Empire title during his career.
Professional boxing record
Death
Escoe died on September 19, 2002, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, at 78.
Awards and recognition
-
1978 Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame inductee
External links
